He also warned that Barbados will break off its 30 years of diplomatic relations with China in favour of Taiwan, if the DLP
is victorious at the polls.

The DLP is the main challenger to Prime Minister Arthur's ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP).

General elections will be held in Barbados on Tuesday January 15.

Dollar diplomacy

In a campaign speech, Mr Arthur also made wider accusations against the Taiwanese, who've been engaged in what some call 'dollar
diplomacy' with rivals China in the Caribbean:

Taiwan is an independent state, but is regarded as a rebel region by China which claims sovereignty over it.

The two far eastern countries have an ongoing tussle in the Caribbean – and elsewhere – for diplomatic bragging rights.

“Our intelligence (has) told us that there have been many, many, many contacts between the Democratic Labour Party – through
St. Kitts – and Taiwan," Mr Arthur said.

He referred to St Lucia, which has cut relations with China in favour of Taiwan, saying: "That's what has happened in St.
Lucia with a political institution finding itself on the eve of an election (with) large sums of money to spend, but to switch
from Beijing to Taiwan.”

Taiwan feels that it can walk around the world buying countries

Owen Arthur, Barbados Prime Minister

Mr. Arthur, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term of government, told BLP supporters that the alleged arrangement explained
what he termed a “campaign of ostentation and extravagance” being staged by the DLP in its attempt to win next Tuesday's poll.

“Taiwan feels that it can walk around the world buying countries … and there are countries in the Caribbean where people in
high offices in those countries have been offering blandishments to people to switch from Beijing to Taiwan," he alleged.

He also said : "A lot of it is based around St. Kitts."

Accusation rejected

But opposition Leader David Thompson has issued an unequivocal denial of the allegations concerning funding.

DLP leader David Thompson denies their campaign is being financedb by Taiwan

“I want to say … that that is a vicious and nasty lie,” he told DLP supporters attending a party rally.

“We have not received any contributions either from the Chinese or from the Taiwanese."

Mr. Thompson said his party, like the ruling BLP, has been funded by various private Barbadian citizens, something which is
not prohibited by law.

We have not received any contributions either from the Chinese or from the Taiwanese

An equally acrimonious fall-out occurred when Grenada opted to China over Taiwan.

In the Dominican Republic the government of President Leonel Fernandez has said that while it’s diplomatic relations with
Taiwan remain stable, it is committed to boosting its economic ties with rival China.

And the fight between China and Taiwan for diplomatic recognition in the Caribbean has also been hotting up in Suriname.

Taiwan recently took out large ads in newspapers there promising the country some three hundred million US dollars worth of
unconditional development aid.

But President Ronaald Venetiaan had said it was an offer he did not find tempting, even though some members of his government
felt it was enticing.

Taiwan has been losing diplomatic ground in the Caribbean to China

Beijing and Taipei often trade insults over which is using "dollar diplomacy" in the form of offers of aid or cheap loans
to curry influence around the world.

The ‘One-China’ policy ensures that nations cannot have official relations with both China and Taiwan.

While most CARICOM states have formal ties with the People’s Republic of China, Belize, Haiti, St Kitts-Nevis, St Vincent
and the Grenadines and St Lucia recognise Taiwan.

In all some 170 countries recognise China, compared with just 24 for democratic, self-ruled Taiwan.

These are mainly countries in Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.